Peacock Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus Temmincki
Peacock Wrasse - Marinewise © 2024 MarineWise

Quick Facts

Scientific name Cirrhilabrus Temmincki
Other names Threadfin Wrasse, Bluestripe Flasher, Japanese Rainbow Wrasse, Temminck's Fairy Wrasse
Size Up to 9.9 cm (3.8 in)
Weight Under 25 grams

Distribution

Habitat & AU Distribution Coastal waters amongst sand & rubble next to seaward reefs
Depth Range 3 - 50 m (164 ft)
Peacock Wrasse Distribution

Interesting Info

  • The Peacock Wrasse is found in the waters around northern Australia, particularly in Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, and Western Australia.
  • They are a colourful fish with a bright red/orange body, with a green and blue face and fins, and yellow stripes. The males typically have more colours than the female.
  • Peacock Wrasse are known to feed on small invertebrates and crustaceans, and are an important part of the coral reef ecosystem.
  • They are commonly found in and prefer areas with strong currents.
  • The Peacock Wrasse has a unique swimming pattern, where it undulates its dorsal and anal fins in a continuous motion as it moves through the water.
  • The Peacock Wrasse is a non-migratory species, meaning it stays in one area for most of its life.
  • They are a slow-growing fish and takes several years to reach maturity.
  • During breeding season, males will display their colourful fins and perform courtship rituals to attract females. They are broadcast spawners, which means they release eggs and sperm into the water, allowing fertilisation to occur externally.
  • Estimated lifespan is up to 10 years.
Species Interaction

Aquarium, Snorkeling & Diving

Peacock Wrasse are generally shy and reclusive, and they spend most of their time hiding in rock crevices and caves. This can make them hard to spot for snorkelers and divers. They are popular in aquariums as they are colourful and have unique swimming pattern, where they undulate their dorsal and anal fins in a continuous motion as they move through the water.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Labridae

Genus: Cirrhilabrus

Species: Cirrhilabrus Temmincki

Conservation Status

The conservation status of the Peacock Wrasse in Australia is currently classified as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Peacock Wrasse
As Aquarium Fish

Care Level: Moderate to difficult

Temperament: Shy

Diet: Carnivore

Reef Compatible: Yes

Minimum Tank Size: 80 gallons

Recreational Viewing
- Snorkeling & Scuba

Finding: Difficult

Temperament: Shy

Location: Inner Reef, Outer Reef, Lagoon

Danger: None